CVE-2026-95343 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 09/29/2026
Use after free in WebAudio in Google Chrome prior to 154.0.8037.57 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free error within the WebAudio component of Google Chrome prior to version 154.0.8037.57 represents a critical memory management flaw that compromises the integrity and confidentiality of user data. This specific class of vulnerabilities occurs when an application continues to reference a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed, leading to undefined behavior that can be exploited by malicious actors. In this instance, the defect resides in how Chrome handles audio processing objects within its sandboxed environment, where improper lifecycle management allows for dangling pointers to persist and potentially point to newly allocated heap memory with attacker-controlled content.
From a technical perspective, the root cause lies in the failure of the WebAudio API implementation to properly invalidate references when associated resources are deallocated. When an HTML page containing crafted JavaScript code triggers specific audio context operations, it can force the browser to free internal structures while retaining active pointers to those same memory regions. By carefully crafting the timing and sequence of these operations, a remote attacker can manipulate the heap layout such that subsequent allocations overwrite critical data structures with malicious payloads. This scenario effectively bypasses standard sandbox protections because the execution flow is hijacked through corrupted function pointers or virtual table entries within the browser process itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it enables arbitrary code execution inside the Chrome sandbox. Although modern browsers employ multiple layers of defense including DEP and ASLR to mitigate exploitation, a successful use-after-free attack can often bypass these controls by achieving controlled memory writes that allow for information disclosure or direct shellcode injection. An attacker leveraging this flaw could install malware, steal sensitive credentials stored in browser cookies or local storage, perform keylogging, or pivot further into the user's network infrastructure. The severity is classified as high due to the ease of delivery via a simple crafted HTML page hosted on any website, requiring no special privileges from the victim other than visiting the malicious site.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which defines use after free errors, and maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1203, specifically the exploitation of vulnerabilities for client-side code execution. The attack vector is classified as remote via a web browser, falling under initial access techniques that rely on social engineering or drive-by downloads where user interaction may be limited to mere page navigation if exploit chaining is employed effectively.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 154.0.8037.57 or later, which includes patches for the underlying memory management logic in the WebAudio subsystem. Organizations should enforce automatic browser updates across all endpoints to ensure timely application of security fixes. Additionally, implementing strict Content Security Policy headers can help mitigate potential downstream impacts by restricting script execution sources and preventing certain types of cross-site scripting attacks that might complement this vulnerability. Users are advised to exercise caution when visiting untrusted websites and to keep their operating systems and browser plugins fully updated to reduce the attack surface available to exploiters targeting memory corruption flaws in web rendering engines.